The hoof problem previously known as Hoof Wall Separation Syndrome (HWSS) has been renamed as Hoof Wall Separation Disease (HWSD). HWSD is an unique, verifiable and testable disease. It should not be confused with any other hoof pathology. HWSD is a genetic autosomal recessive condition. Two carrier parents being bred with each other results in 1:4 chance of the foal being HWSD afflicted. There is now a commercially available genetic test for the HWSD mutation.

Friday, 13 February 2015

The Connemara Pony Breeders Society (CPBS) has taken a public stand at last!!

UPDATE TO POST BELOW:

IMPORTANT PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!16 February 2015 GMT

HWSD meeting:

CLIFDEN 3pm Saturday 28 March 2015

at the theatre in the Station House Hotel.

Padraic Heanue has organised for veterinary surgeon Kate Murray (MRCVS, VIB) to give her talk on HWSD, that she presented at the last CPBS council meeting.
This is the week-end of the spring festival, so the opportunity is now available to Irish breeders, international visitors/breeders and council members
to attend and learn about clinical the signs of HWSD, the implications for
the breed and how to get ponies gene tested.

"Hoof Wall Separation Disease

Hoof Wall Separation Disease was discussed at length at
the CPBS Council meeting on Monday 9th of February. Veterinarian Kate
Murray outlined the symptoms and implications of the disease and
explained how it is genetically inherited. Connemara pony breeders are
well placed to manage the disease as its management is exactly the same
as that of the Blue Eyed Cream gene. Breeders are encouraged to test all
breeding stock before the breeding season commences. The test is
currently available from UC Davis at a cost of €35 approx and results
are back within six working days. A thorough education programme for all
breeders is being embarked upon by the Council through it’s website,
newsletters and breeders meetings. While encouraging breeders to be
proactive the Council feels that it is not yet in a position to compel
people to test their ponies until the study is published and peer
reviewed. The CPBS is in contact with Weatherbys, who hope to have the
test available before the end of the year. The ideal situation would be
that one blood test would be carried out on all foals for Parentage
testing, BEC testing and HWSD testing. More information is available
here http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/bannasch/HoofWallSeparation.php ."

While the Connemara Pony Research Group has from the outset, attempted (and for the most part achieved) to remain outside the personal manouverings associated with breed society politics, it does appear that this recent decision on HWSD, by the CPBS is in direct response to vibrant conversations on a facebook page run by a dissatisfied CPBS council member rather than as the result of universal support by council members.

The CPRG supports freedom of expression.

All power to the People!

Research Update:

We have the test, (YEAH!) but Dr Finno wants to find out more about how the HWSD mutation actually causes the damaged hoof phenotype. She needs help to achieve this aim.

The practicalities of this research request are, in reality is probably restricted to breeders and owners in Canada and the USA, although people in the rest of the world may be able to help; it will just be more difficult to achieve.

The request is for anyone 'out there' who has a HWSD pony which they are going have to euthanase, for any reason, to please contact the CPRG. Dr Finno would like to have at least one, if not all four legs please (from the fetlock down). Dr Finno has requested that initially any enquiries with regards to donating legs, be dealt with by the CPRG. (email: connemara.pony.research.group(@)gmail.com (remove ( ) from the address if emailing)

The research will be looking at the expression of mRNA in the coronary band.

Dr Finno has also notified the CPRG, and given permission for this information to made public on this blog, that she is now performing all of the genetic research for the melanoma study on Connemara ponies headed by Dr Alain Theon.

Dr Theon requested that Dr Finno join his team, such is her professional standing.

Other stuff:

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About Me

Connemara Pony breeders from many countries have combined together to enable this research on HWSD. It is a truly international co-operative. The Research Group is completely independent of and non-aligned from any breed society or country.